INR 1.6 Day 6 post op

[Natanni]

My husband was discharged w/INR of 1.8 following AVR with 2.5 mg coumadin per day. His goal INR is 2.5-3.5. Todays INR is 1.6 and the doctor is upping him to 5 mg until Friday but I was concerned about that low of INR and phoned the PA-C for his surgeon and he said he may start him on Lovenox shots tonight, and we are awaiting a response now. Our local doc didn't seem the least bit concerned. I understand that the INR levels usually reflect things 2 days prior and it has only been today that he really is starting to have an appetite. Has anyone dipped this low with a mech valve with no other alternative anticoagulation therapy?

 

[Karlynn]

If you're on Coumadin long enough, I'm sure there will be times when you dip that low without even knowing it. However, it would be good if he was on Lovenox until he got in range.

His dose will most likely continue to increase for a while. His healing body will begin to process the warfarin more quickly and his dose will need to go up. It's all part of the process.